HONDA ST1300 PAN EUROPEAN (2002-on) Review

"Near the top of anyone's list in the market for a mile-munching tourer"

"Near the top of anyone's list in the market for a mile-munching tourer"

At a glance

1261cc - 125 bhp

45 mpg - 270 miles range

Medium seat height (805mm)

£14,499

Overall Rating
5 out of 5

The Honda ST1300 Pan European is as accomplished a machine as you can buy. It does everything you ask of it and more. Smooth, comfortable, fast, powerful and well-built – the Honda ST1300 Pan European should be near the top of anyone’s list whether they’re in the market for a mile-munching tourer or a classy commuter. Superb.

Ride Quality & Brakes
4 out of 5

With its low seat and easy manners the Honda ST1300 Pan European is a pleasure to steer, in fact you’ll wonder where all that ground clearance went the first time your pegs grind out. The seat is initially too firm, but after 6-7000 miles it begins to yield. A bit. The brakes are excellent, the balance is near-perfect and even two-up on the Honda ST1300 Pan European you’ll barely notice the difference.

Engine
5 out of 5

The Honda ST1300 Pan European’s DOHC V4 is the last of the great Honda V4s – and with its trademark smooth, turbine-like power, there’s no mistaking it for anything else. Any gear, any time the Honda ST1300 Pan European is ready for action with no fuss, just effortless delivery. It’s not exactly exciting, but, boy, is the Honda ST1300 Pan European competent.

Build Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5

Some early Honda ST1300 Pan Europeans experienced some corrosion problems, but these seem to have been sorted on post-’04 machines. Honda ST1300 Pan European owners are usually experienced, responsible types which, combined with the ultra-reliable V4 motor and its low-maintenance shaft drive, means they’re a very safe bet for trouble-free miles new or used.

Value & Running Costs
5 out of 5

Honda ST1300 Pan Europeans depreciate very slowly, as there as so few secondhand examples on the market because owners hang onto their Pans. So although prices are high you will get more of your money back – and because of their reliability and desirability mileage is less of a factor on Honda ST1300 Pan Europeans, too. Find a Honda ST1300 Pan European for sale.

Equipment
4 out of 5

CBS (Combined Braking System) is standard fit on the Honda ST1300 Pan European, as are the panniers. You can add heated grips, a top box and soft luggage, too. ABS model Honda ST1300 Pan European available.

By
MCN Staff

Owners' Reviews

39 owners have reviewed their HONDA ST1300 PAN EUROPEAN (2002-on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

We’re currently improving the way this section works, which means we’ve had to suspend the submission of new owners’ reviews for a short period. Please check back soon.

Summary of Owners' Reviews

Overall Rating

4 out of 5

Ride Quality & Brakes

3.7 out of 5

Engine

4.5 out of 5

Build Quality & Reliability

4.2 out of 5

Value & Running Costs

3.9 out of 5

Equipment

4.2 out of 5

5 out of 5

no weave,but

10 November 2013
by
glentrammon

I've had my pan for 7yrs now in which time I've put22k on it,touring here and Europe I personally haven't experienced the dreaded weave but am not saying for a second it doesn't occur,because far better riders than me have had it.just in case it... Read more makes any diff when I bought it I put on a larger screen which has a cutaway at just over bar height which is supposed to reduce turbulence at speed.i don't go that quick to be honest,but I have on a very few occasions travelled at 110/125 for sustained periods when trying to make ferries etc abroad and whether it's the bike set-up or what I don't know but I swear I have never had the weaving or I can assure you I would have been off that throttle so fast rossi would be impressed!i allways travel loaded and with my wife on the back.aside from this I really think this bike is unbeatable,ours has never let us down once,a truly superb bike.

Overall Rating
5 out of 5

Ride Quality & Brakes
5 out of 5

Engine
5 out of 5

Build Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5

Value & Running Costs
5 out of 5

Equipment
5 out of 5

4 out of 5

Early Days

26 August 2013
by
strekev

Didn't give the Pan a second glance 5 years ago, now If you come to terms with what looks good to the eye isn't always up to doing the business ( ie super models can't do a sunday roast).
Hence the change, ride all day, ride with purpose , get the... Read more pegs down get ignored by all the Sunday ride out power ranger clones.
Buy one as transport , have a second bike as a mistress

Overall Rating
4 out of 5

Ride Quality & Brakes
4 out of 5

Engine
5 out of 5

Build Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5

Value & Running Costs
5 out of 5

Equipment
4 out of 5

4 out of 5

Very good unless you need parts urgently

23 February 2013
by
k1000gt

Very good bike,unfortunately I hit some debris on the motorway and damaged the rim on the rear wheel and have been told it will be six yes six weeks until there will be a replacement available.as I work as a mobile service engineer doing about 1000... Read more mile a week this is totally unacceptable. Come on honda its not like its an obsolete model or they have not got any unsold stock in this country they could take one off of.Good job there is E-bay and part finder, imagine not being able to work for six weeks because of the unavailability of a spare part

Overall Rating
4 out of 5

Ride Quality & Brakes
3 out of 5

Engine
4 out of 5

Build Quality & Reliability
4 out of 5

Value & Running Costs
4 out of 5

Equipment
4 out of 5

5 out of 5

Great Bike - Get One !

03 January 2013
by
CharlieBiker

The ST1300 is a super long distance muncher and low cost commuter with plenty of luggage space. Recently rode 650 miles mostly in torrential rain - my bike has a deflector kit - the weather protection is superb, and no back ache!
Low centre of... Read more gravity make it easy to ride on country B roads and heavy traffic. Relatively easy / low cost DIY maintenance makes it a great all round bike. My bike has done just over 58,000 miles and I guess is just run in. (My friend is a dispatch rider with 162,000 on his 2003 ST1300 - Honda tend to spend money on the bits that count).
I can take or leave the ABS option - no big deal for me one way or the other.
Regarding the 'weave' your only likely to get this if you ride it sustained at over 120mph with heavy loading and poorly adjusted / worn shock / forks and/or bad tyres and/or wrong tyre pressures. The bike has its own unique riding style - that will disappoint many 'boy racers'- and anyway hey who wants to lose their licence!
You can now get a good early ST1300 for under £4,500 - get one, service it and you wont be disappointed.

Overall Rating
5 out of 5

Ride Quality & Brakes
4 out of 5

Engine
5 out of 5

Build Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5

Value & Running Costs
5 out of 5

Equipment
5 out of 5

5 out of 5

60 k miles on a 2003 Pan

23 October 2012
by
jon0000001

I have ridden mine 60K miles. I still enjoy riding it every time. Very comfortable even after 500 miles in a day.
Although it's heavy it’s well balanced, and I find it more stable at low speeds than the 600 which I had before.
Cosmetically... Read more it has coped well with being ridden throughout quite a few winters, although the forks are tatty.
Slight beginning of a weave if you accelerate hard at a high speed with screen up: so I won’t do that again.
The electric screen failed after 50k miles, and a hose came loose, but apart from that it has been faultless.
If you drop it on flat ground then the tipover wings can prevent any damage, which is not a sexy feature but could save a lot of grief.
The V4 sounds great when unleash it.
All in all an excellent bike!

Overall Rating
5 out of 5

Ride Quality & Brakes
5 out of 5

Engine
5 out of 5

Build Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5

Value & Running Costs
5 out of 5

Equipment
3 out of 5

5 out of 5

100,000 Mile plus on a Pan

03 April 2012
by
smallbluething

I've had 3 1300 Pans first one on a '53 plate. Currently on a '57 plate with 45k miles.
I have never had any handling issues. Solo or two up with luggage, never misbehaved for me regardless of speed and conditions.
I love it, my girlfriend loves... Read more it!
Would I buy another, YES!

Overall Rating
5 out of 5

Ride Quality & Brakes
4 out of 5

Engine
5 out of 5

Build Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5

Value & Running Costs
5 out of 5

Equipment
5 out of 5

5 out of 5

to stevie wonder below

19 February 2010
by
sportsboyuk

try reading what i said and yes i am very very experienced ive said the pan is fantastic and underated if set up right it goes superbly so get off your soap box and go to spec savers thank you Read more

Overall Rating
5 out of 5

Ride Quality & Brakes
5 out of 5

Engine
5 out of 5

Build Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5

Value & Running Costs
5 out of 5

Equipment
5 out of 5

5 out of 5

First class

16 February 2010
by
Anonymous

Hi folks ,felt the need to reply to the so called cop with 10 years top class riding below.Quite simply mate your talking poop.The pan is a first class tourer with a superb build quality and a great balance between ride handling and power... Read more delivery.ive been riding pans for 23years and ive owned 2-3 bikes at a time including bmw and kawasaki tourers and im telling you they aint a patch on any pan old or new.this so called weaving is bollocks and is nothing other than rider ignorance and lack of experience.Read the manual set the bike up properley and your off with no wobbles or niggles.The police spec pans are very different to the road bikes and are set up to serve a different purpose and the poor bloke who found that out the hard way god rest his soul was very unfortunate.Ive been on many ride outs with bike cops who think that because they have been on a few extra trainning courses they are indestructible they are not.I would bet my life the death of the poor officer in question was caused mainly by human rider error more than anything else come on folks how many other folks have been killed riding them???.The pan is a fantastic machine and if riden and looked after properly will last you a life time take it from me ive put over 150,000 miles on an 02 model and it never broke down one single time.
The media created the fear of so called weaving its horse shit and paranoia crossed with lack of experience.
thanks for reading and its nothing personal special officer doofy just my strong opinion lol.

Overall Rating
5 out of 5

Ride Quality & Brakes
5 out of 5

Engine
5 out of 5

Build Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5

Value & Running Costs
4 out of 5

Equipment
5 out of 5

5 out of 5

4k and shes handling perfectly

14 December 2009
by
sportsboyuk

tested now to 4k miles and no wobbles weaves etc even up to 130 mph very very stable these bikes are for touring not racing anyway but as a professional rder this bike for its size and weight is great just miss understood and incorrectly set up ... Read more once set up she fantastic this is my second one in a row

Overall Rating
5 out of 5

Ride Quality & Brakes
5 out of 5

Engine
5 out of 5

Build Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5

Value & Running Costs
5 out of 5

Equipment
5 out of 5

4 out of 5

Pan A8

28 November 2009
by
mike760

I have owned my A8 for 6 months and only covered 4000 miles but have owned it long enough now to give my views.
Pros:
Economy is good at moderate speeds and acceleration; comfortably achieving 50mpg 2 up and loaded, thrash it however and you can... Read more halve this. Tank range up to 300 miles, going steady. Comfy ride for both rider and pillion. Good weather protection but found feet get cold unless tucked right in. Contrary to reports, servicing is reasonable being quoted £180 for a major service (8000). The interim being checks, I intend doing myself. Enough power to put a little grin on my face. Easy to ride and throw around considering its size and weight. I’m 5’7” and 11 stone!
Cons:
Mirrors adequate, but do make excellent wind deflectors. No gear indicator, power sockets are an extra. Not experienced weave but have only done 120! However, becomes very light if the wind is strong enough (at low speeds too) and in the wrong direction – I’ve put this down to the wing like shape of the fairing, which appeared to give the bike some lift. Economy around town is very poor so use my car to commute, as it’s cheaper and the bike’s size prohibits efficient filtering. Exhausts a little too quiet.
Summary:
Love it, you can get loads of extras (at a price) but know it’s going to last!